Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Denise E. O’Donnell today announced the appointment of Glenn Valle, a former prosecutor who has served as Chief Counsel to the State Police for nearly 20 years, as counsel.

Mr. Valle, a 1977 graduate of St. John’s University School of Law, has been with the State Police since 1985 and has served as Chief Counsel since 1989. He previously served as a New York State Assistant Attorney General and as an Assistant District Attorney in New York City.

“I am delighted and fortunate that Glenn has agreed to join my team,” said Deputy Secretary O’Donnell, who was appointed to that position earlier this month by Governor David A. Paterson and who also serves as Commissioner of the state Division of Criminal Justice Services. “Glenn has a wealth of experience in law enforcement and in state government, and I know that I will be able to rely on his sound advice and good counsel.”

As Deputy Secretary for Public Safety, Ms. O’Donnell is responsible for policies and operations of the state’s homeland security and criminal justice agencies, including the Division of Criminal Justice Services, the Office of Homeland Security, the Division of State Police, the Department of Correctional Services, the Division of Parole, the Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives, the Division of Military and Naval Affairs, the State Emergency Management Office, the Crime Victims Board, the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, and the State Commission of Correction. Mr. Valle will serve as Counsel to the Deputy Secretary.

“I have enjoyed serving as Chief Counsel to the New York State Police for almost 20 years and look forward to expanding upon that tradition of service in my new role,” Mr. Valle said. “I feel it is an honor and privilege to be chosen as Counsel by Deputy Secretary O’Donnell, a person I consider to be a consummate professional.”

State Police Superintendent Harry J. Corbitt said, “Glenn Valle’s exceptional tenure with the State Police, along with his prosecutorial experience, will serve Deputy Secretary O’Donnell well in her oversight of the State’s public safety agencies.”